Against excesse in[206] apparell that every man be cessed in the churche for all publique contributions, if he be unmarried according to his owne apparrell, if he be married, according to his owne and his wives, or either of their apparell.
As touching the instruction[207] of drawing some of the better disposed of the Indians to converse wth our people & to live and labour amongst[208] them, the Assembly who knowe[209] well their dispositions thinke it fitte to enjoine,[210] least to counsell those of the Colony, neither utterly to rejecte them nor yet to drawe them to come in. But in case they will of themselves come voluntarily to places well peopled, there to doe service in killing of Deere, fishing, beatting of Corne and other workes, that then five or six may be admitted into every such place, and no more, and that wth the consente[211] of the Governour. Provided that good[212] guarde[213] in the night be kept upon them, for generally (though some amongst many may proove[214] good) they are a most trecherous people and quickly gone when they have done a villany. And it were fitt[215] a housewe builte for them to lodge in aparte[216] by themselves, and lone inhabitants by no meanes[217] to entertaine them.
Be it enacted by this present assembly that for laying a surer foundation of the conversion of the Indians to Christian Religion, eache towne, citty, Borrough, and particular plantation do obtaine unto themselves by just means a certaine number of the natives' children to be educated by them in true religion and civile course of life—of wch children the most towardly boyes in witt & graces of nature to be brought up by them in the first elements of litterature, so[218] to be fitted for the Colledge intended for them that from thence they may be sente[219] to that worke of conversion.
As touching the busines of planting corne this present Assembly doth ordaine that yeare by yeare all & every householder and householders have in store for every servant he or they shall keep, and also for his or their owne persons, whether they have any Servants or no, one spare barrell of corne, to be delivered out yearly, either upon sale or exchange as need shall require. For the neglecte[220] of wch duty he shalbe[221] subjecte to the censure of the Governr[222] and Counsell of Estate. Provided alwayes that the first yeare of every newe man this lawe shall not be of[223] force.
About the plantation of Mulbery trees, be it enacted that every man as he is seatted[224] upon his division, doe for seven yeares together, every yeare plante and maintaine in growte[225] six[226] Mulberry trees at the least,[227] and as many more as he shall thinke conveniente and as his virtue[228] & Industry shall move him to plante, and that all suche persons as shall neglecte the yearly planting and maintaining of that small proportion shalbe[229] subjecte to the censure of the Governour & the Counsell of Estate.
Be it farther[230] enacted as concerning Silke-flaxe, that those men that are upon their division or setled[231] habitation doe this next[232] yeare plante & dresse 100 plantes, wch being founde a comedity,[233] may farther be increased. And whosoever do faill in the performance of this shalbe[234] subject to this punishment of the Governour[235] & Counsell of Estate.
For hempe also both Englishe & Indian, and for Englishe[236] flax & Anniseeds, we do[237] require and enjoine all householders of this Colony that have any of those seeds[238] to make tryal thereofe the nexte season.
Moreover be it enacted by this present Assembly, that every householder doe yearly plante and maintaine ten vines untill they have attained to the art and experience of dressing a Vineyard either by their owne industry or by the Instruction of some Vigneron. And that upon what penalty soever the Governor[239] and Counsell of Estate shall thinke fitt to impose upon the neglecters of this acte.
Be it also enacted that all necessary tradesmen, or so[240] many as need shall require, suche[241] as are come over since the departure of Sir Thomas Dale, or that shall hereafter come, shall worke at their trades for any other man, each[242] one being payde according to the quality[243] of his trade and worke, to be estimated, if he shall not be contented, by the Governor and officers of the place where he worketh.